Direction signal



June 10, 1941. E. R. CODDE DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed May 24. 1939 2 Sheets-Shqet 1 7844/67 ENE/E June 10, 1941. R, coDDE DIRECTION sump Filed May 24, 1939 2 Sh eets-Shee t 2 QM um m wx Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF ICE DIRECTION SIGNAL Everett R. Codde, Oakland, Calif.

Application May 24, 1939, Serial No. 275,545

1 Claim.

This invention relates to signals for motor vehicles and the like, to indicate a direction of travel and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a signalling means mounting in the vehicle top.

which is normally concealed, but projectable to a visible position through control means mounted oin the steering wheel or other convenient posit on.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel means for projecting and retracting the signalling means as well as to provide a waterproof closure for the signalling .means when in retracted operative position.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide pneumatic means for projecting the signalling means and to simultaneously illuminate the signalling means.

Additional objects, advantages and features invention will be apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle having my signalling device installed.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring diagram for the signalling device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section on the line Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 5-4 of Figure 4.

construction and operation of the valve.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, enlarged,

and illustrating the signalling device in operative position.

Figure 7 is a, cross section on the line 1-1 of Figure 6. Y

There is illustrated a motor vehicle generally indicated at I. having a top H, the latter having a transversely extended well l2 formed therein adjacent each longitudinal edge and preferably medially of the length of the top.

The wells l2 are suitably built into the top to provide a waterproof joint, and preferably includes a drip channel l2 for conducting water away from the wells, so that the latter may be maintained dry. Each well I2 is identical in construction and a description of one will be ample for an understanding and operation of the signalling means now to be described, attention being directed particularly to Figure 4 A guide rod I4 is mounted between the base I! and inwardly directed flange l4, a rod being provided adjacent respective ends of the well. Vertically slidable upon the rods l4 there is a platform I! for support of an illuminated indicator l8, this in the present instance being shown as an arrow, to indicate a proposed turn of the vehicle; as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The indicator I2 is supported by standards I9 at the ends thereof, the standards being rigidly connected to the platform and a closure plate 20, the latter being constructed to seat flush around the upper edges of the well l2. The indicator l8 may be additionally supported by rubber cushion blocks 2i arranged as shown. The indicator I2 is shown as a neon lamp embodying a pair of terminals 22 also suitably mounted in cushion 'blocks 22.

A stop lug 24 is fixed to each rod limiting downward movement of the platform I! and a fixed platform 25 is also supported by the rods l4, spaced a suitable distance above the base".

The platform 25 supports a transformer 26 having flexible conductors 21 for connection with respective terminals 22, the conductors being of such length as to permit full upward movement of the indicator l2. The platform 25 also supports a pair of bellows devices 22, the .upper ends of the bellows being fixed to the underside of the platform I'I.

Each of the bellows has an air inlet 2!.connected to an air line 22, the latter being connected to an air control valve 2|, attention being directed to Figure 6 for an understanding of the The valve 2| is suitably mounted in a compartment 22 adjacent one end of the well, the walls 22-24 being suitably apertured to admit an air inlet pipe 25, the pipe 22 and the exhaust pipe 24.

The valve 2! comprises a cylinder 21, closed by a screw plug 22 at the lowerend. the upper to one side of aswitch 41, the other side of theswitch being connected to a battery 42 by lead 42, it being understood that the winding 45 is rounded to the frame as indicated at 50. From the foregoing it will be understood that when the winding 45 is energized, the piston will be atrespective bellows 28. The pipe 38 will open upon the cylinder at such point that the pipe 36 will be closed to the cylinder, by the head 52 when the piston is in raised operative position.

The operation will be readily understood from the following description. With the signal [8 in lowered position as shown in Figure 4, and it is desired to project the signal upwardly to a point of display as a warning to other vehicles, the desired switch 41 is actuated to close the circuit through lines II and 4!. which in turn energizes the coil winding 45. when the coil is energized, the piston 43 will be drawn upwardly, engaging contacts 40 and ll, completing the circuit to the indicator II by way of the lead 54, the transformer 26 and the ground 55. When the piston 43 was raised, the port from the pipe 35 was uncovered, admitting air under pressure from a source 5'. The air passes into the pipe 30 and thence passes into respective bellows 28 causing them to expand, raising the platform I 'l with the indicator ll. form is limited as soon as the platform engages the flange It. The switch 41 is held in operative engagement and as soon as released, the circuit will be broken, and when this occurs, the piston The upward movement of the platu will be forced downwardly by the spring 44,

closing the port from the air line 35, and opening the port in the exhaust pipe 36. Thus the air in the bellows wfll be exhausted, allowing the indicator [8 to return to concealed position in the 'well. Such downward movement will be gradual,

obviously, and damage to the indicator wfll be avoided. A vent 51 may be provided in the cylinder 3| to permit free downward movement of the piston.

While I have shown and'described a preferred form of the device, this is by way of illustration only, and I consider as my own all such modifications in structure as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In combination with a vehicle having a top, an elongated well formed in the top, a vertically expansible bellows housed in the well adjacent respective ends of the well, a platform carried by the upper portions of the bellows, vertical rods in the well cooperable with the platform for guiding the latter during movement thereof, stop means on the rods for limiting downward movement of the platform, upright rods on the platform, an illuminable indicator carried by the platform and supported by said last named rods, a cover fixed to the upper ends of the last named rods for closing the well when the bellows are in collapsed position, an electrical circuit for the indicator, pneumatic means for expanding the bellows, exhaust means for the bellows, and switch means operable by said pneumatic means for completing the circuit to the indicator means.

EVERETT R. CODDE. 

